I took a deep breath, my heart racing. “I found something in our bedroom today.”
Derek’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of worry passing over his face. “What do you mean?”
“The thong,” I spat out, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. “Cassie’s thong.”
He froze, and for a moment, I thought I saw guilt flash in his eyes. But just as quickly, it disappeared. “Lila, it doesn’t mean anything. You know how pack dynamics are. It’s just a fling. It’s not like that.”
My blood boiled. “Not like that? You think finding your girlfriend's thong in our bedroom is nothing? You’ve been lying to me, Derek. I needed you after the attack, and you were too busy chasing her!”
He rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. “You’re overreacting. I’m still here. I love you. Cassie was just a distraction.”
A part of me broke. “A distraction? That’s all I am to you now? I lost our baby, Derek! And instead of being here for me, you were out with her!”
He stepped closer, trying to close the distance between us. “Look, I’m sorry. But it wasn’t supposed to happen like this. You know the pack needs me.”
“Do you even hear yourself?” I shouted. “I’m your mate! I’m the one who needs you! But you’re more concerned about being a pack leader than being a husband!”
Derek looked taken aback, but instead of remorse, I saw anger in his eyes. “You’re being dramatic. It’s not all about you, Lila.”
I felt a surge of rage. “Dramatic? You think I’m being dramatic? I’m heartbroken, Derek. I can’t do this anymore. You’ve betrayed me in the worst way possible. I can’t live in a home filled with your lies.”
He stepped back, surprise etched on his face. “What do you mean? Are you saying you want to leave?”
“I’m saying I’m done. I deserve better than this. Better than you,” I said, my voice steady even though I felt like I was falling apart inside.
But instead of reacting the way I expected, Derek just laughed at my words, a dismissive chuckle that made my blood boil even hotter. “You think you can just walk away? It’s not that easy, Lila.”
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. But before I could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, his eyes lighting up. “I’ve got to take this,” he said, stepping away from me and answering the call.